Whether you're shopping for the cocktail enthusiast who knows their way around a jigger or looking to elevate your own home bar setup, finding the perfect gift can be as complex as crafting the ideal cocktail. Our comprehensive guide takes the guesswork out of gifting, featuring everything from essential bar tools and spirits, to unique accessories that will impress any mixologist.
From beginners just discovering the art of the perfect Old Fashioned to seasoned home bartenders who can muddle, shake, and stir with professional flair, this curated collection offers something for every skill level and budget. These thoughtfully selected gifts will help create memorable cocktail experiences - whether it's for intimate gatherings, holiday entertaining, or simply elevating the everyday drink routine.
The Best Bar Tools
Available in Gold, Rose Gold and Stainless Steel, this 14-piece professional bartender kit was developed by career cocktail bartender Chris Tunstall, who was frustrated with the lack of high-quality bar equipment. With his partner Julie, Chris created the A Bar Above cocktail tools and hosts the YouTube Channel A Bar Above, a fabulous resource for making great cocktails. Their Boston cocktail shaker is reinforced for extra strength and guaranteed to never break or bend, even behind the busiest craft cocktail bar. They're even safe for commercial dishwashers. The set also comes with: three different strainers, a muddler, a cocktail spoon, a Japanese jigger to precisely measure ingredients for balanced cocktails, and cocktail picks for a stylish garnish. To help advance your mixologist's skills, why not also gift them a workshop from A Bar Above? From Bar Basics to advanced Mixology Certification, A Bar Above has a cocktail course to suit everyone.
Large spouted for easy pouring, this classic Japanese Yarai weave pattern is elegant and provides a secure grip on its heavy, thick-walled glass. At 600ml (20.2 oz) capacity, it can easily make two cocktails at once. This set includes a stainless steel Hawthorne strainer.
The Clear Ice Cube Design Tray by Ash Harbor takes your ice experience to a whole new level. The aluminium ice press mould has 8 designs and is available in several 'themes' including 'Elements', 'Seasons' and 'Holiday'. The included silicone tray catches any drips as your ice cubes are transformed in just 5 seconds per side with some very cool designs. It's the perfect gift for those who appreciate a well-crafted drink. Pair the Design Tray with a clear ice maker for maximum effect.
On the quest for the perfect clear ice? Directional freezing is the way to go. To make it easy, the True Cubes clear ice kit has a silicon cube tray with four ice cube moulds (2"x2"x2") that nest inside a secondary silicon tray, which all sit nicely inside an outer cooler box. You only need regular tap water to fill the top tray up to the fill line (this will also fill up the bottom silicon tray). Then, pop the whole unit into your freezer and wait for the directional freezing to do its thing. The process in which the trays work will naturally purify the water, resulting in large clear cubes that are visually stunning and also almost as pure as distilled water (no funky taste). Perfect for use with the Ice Cube Pattern Tray.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler's favourite press juicer (as per The Bar Book), the Norpro stainless steel juicer will juice lemons and limes. Morgenthaler likes the Norpro for its stylishness and functionality. On Morgenthaler's recommendation we purchased the Norpro and it is so much more efficient than our old manual juicer! It is easy to clean and very well made. I've found thick skinned lemons can be a bit of a workout, but limes and thinner skinned Meyer lemons are easy to juice. I love our Norpro Juice Press so much I got one for my mum.
The Best Drink Accessories
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WalkstonCandy's (Etsy) Alcoholic Cocktail Stirrers are individually hand-crafted hard candy filled with booze. Each pack contains eight alcohol-filled sticks, and each stirrer can last up to 3 cocktails. Flavours include Raspberry Prosecco, Pink Gin, Passionfruit Martini, Parma Violet Gin, Blood Orange Gin, Cotton Candy Gin and Elderflower Gin. Made in the UK and available in the UK only.
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Conjure a Cocktail with this very clever game by 33 Designs (makers of the gorgeous 33 Books Series and some fabulous cocktail posters. The Spirit Summoner is made of high-quality birch plywood that measures a giant 15" x 20" (38 x 50 cm), hand-printed printed by Dave Selden in Portland, OR, USA (worldwide shipping available).
The planchette is made from cast acrylic, embossed with a gilt design, resting on a bed of felt made from recycled plastic bottles. Summon the spirits with an incantation (the below is printed inside the box, or create your own), and let the spirits guide you to your next drink.
"Cherry sweet and lemon sour,
Fizzy spirit of boundless power –
Rise up now like Champagne’s bubbles –
Mix something up – and make mine double!"
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These personalised drink coasters by DUSTandTHINGS (Etsy) would make a great stocking filler or Kris Kringle/Secret Santa. Handmade engraved Beech wood coasters with your choice of 'alcohol' - Work Now [gin] [whiskey] [wine] [cocktails] Later. Nine options to engrave (including 'alcohol') are available in various colours. Made in the UK with shipping available to USA, Canada and Australia.
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Gintellectual, Ginvincible, Gin wag, & Gincident - a collection of four gin gift set coasters. These coasters are 9.7 cm x 9.7 cm by 3.2 mm thick with rounded corners, made from a high quality, durable melamine satin finish, and a cork back. They are made in the UK, and worldwide shipping is available.
The Best Cocktail Glassware
Elegant and stylish, coupe cocktail glasses are perfect for serving up their favourite cocktail, whether it's a Martini or a Manhattan. Coupes are also a lovely way of serving champagne - fashionable in France from their introduction in the 18th century, and in the United States from the 1930s (think Great Gatsby).
We own this exact set of Waterford Old Fashioned Tumblers and love them. They're very well-made pieces of glassware with an elegant cut glass design. At 11 oz they're considered a Double Old Fashioned glass, and the extra size makes them perfect for adding a large ice cube or sphere. We also quite like to use these glasses for sipping whisky, or employing them as water glasses when we have guests over. An elegant glass for cocktails that should be served over ice. There is also a matching 48oz Marquis pitcher and a Double Old Fashioned and Decanter Set.
Keeping within the Waterford Marquis Range (it's nice when your glassware is matching) this set of four (4) Cut Crystal Glasses are solid and elegant and perfect for a Whisky Highball, Tom Collins or even a gin and tonic. The Marquis range is designed to bring you Waterford quality at an affordable prices. If you're looking for a slightly fancier gift, the full range of Waterford highball glasses offers some stunning options.
I absolutely adore my Riedel Nick & Nora glasses for straight up cocktails (no ice). They are the perfect size for a drink that should be served very cold (like a Martini or a Manhattan) as their slightly smaller size (total capacity 140 ml) means you're finishing your drink while it is still cold. Riedel Nick & Nora also come in a larger 198 ml version. Their shorter stem length also means they fit nicely in the dishwasher.
Another option from the Riedel Drink Specific Glassware range is the Sour Optic Glass, which has an outward flared lip essential for the traditional sour cocktail, and delivers the silky smoothness to the entire palate for balance of flavour. The total capacity of each glass is 215ml, and they come boxed as a set of 2 glasses.
If you're looking for an extra special gift for a gin cocktail lover, you can't go past the Waterford Cystal set of four (4) Gin Balloon glasses (including Olann, Cluin, Aras and Lismore patterns). The balloons are rounded with a short stem, designed to fully savour high alcohol gin. The four distinctive elegant crystal cut patterns combine to create a simply stunning glass set with unrivalled sparkle. Each design is also available as a set of 2.
I ordered a bunch of these ceramic tiki cocktail mugs for our home bar and as gifts for friends - the Geeki Tiki range is extensive, from Star Wars to Rick and Morty, DC, Marvel, Start Trek, LOTR and many more. Most of the Geeki Tikis are 16oz (473ml), although they also sell Mini Mglets that are around 10z, while the Iron Giant we've got is a whopping 828ml / 28 oz.
The Best Cocktail Books
The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique by Jeffrey Morgenthaler is the quintessential guide that elevates bartending from guesswork to craft. What sets this book apart from typical cocktail collections is its focus on the why behind every technique - Morgenthaler doesn't just give you recipes, he breaks down the essential methods, tools, and science that make cocktails work. Each section methodically covers fundamental techniques like shaking, stirring, muddling, and garnishing, while explaining the historical context and rationale behind different approaches. You'll learn not just how to make a perfect Old Fashioned, but why certain stirring techniques produce better results, and when to deviate from traditional methods. This is bartending education at its finest - a comprehensive how-to handbook that transforms enthusiastic amateurs into confident cocktail makers. Whether you're building your first home bar or refining your technique, The Bar Book provides the foundational knowledge that makes every drink better. It's an indispensable reference that belongs on every cocktail enthusiast's shelf.
Twist by Jordan Hughes (The High Proof Preacher) is a standout cocktail book that perfectly balances stunning visuals with practical expertise. Jordan's exceptional drinks photography and videography skills - which earned him the Best Drinks Instagram award from Saveur magazine in 2019 - shine throughout this beautifully photographed collection. Jordan provides spirit brand recommendations for each cocktail while making it clear you can work with whatever you have on hand. The book features over 60 cocktail recipes that help you master classics like the Martini and Old Fashioned while exploring modern riffs, as well as recipes for syrups and infusions. Each recipe includes fascinating historical context or ingredient insights, making it both educational and entertaining. Whether they're a cocktail newbie learning the fundamentals or an experienced home bartender looking for fresh inspiration, Twist delivers well-balanced, properly executed drinks with the visual appeal and practical guidance to match.
The Oxford Guide to Spirits and Cocktails is the definitive reference work every serious drinks enthusiast needs. Written by two of the industry's most respected authorities - David Wondrich (Esquire Magazine and Imbibe!) and Noah Rothbaum (Editor of the Daily Beast's "Half Full," which won Tales of the Cocktail's Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication in both 2018 and 2020) - this comprehensive guide represents the pinnacle of spirits and cocktail scholarship. Think of it as the Oxford Dictionary of the drinks world: an exhaustive A-Z reference covering everything from distilled spirits and mixology theories to historical techniques, modern trends, and essential recipes. Whether you're researching the origins of a classic cocktail, exploring regional spirit traditions, or diving deep into the science of mixology, this book delivers authoritative, meticulously researched information. This isn't just a recipe book - it's an encyclopedia that transforms casual drinkers into informed enthusiasts and gives professionals a trusted resource for settling debates and discovering new knowledge. If they're serious about understanding the full scope of spirits and cocktails, from their historical roots to contemporary innovations, this guide is an essential addition to a cocktail enthusiast's library.
The Best Spirits for Cocktail Enthusiasts
The following list of spirits are a compilation of those recommended by Jordan Hughes (The High Proof Preacher) in 'Twist' and by Brad Thomas Parsons in 'Bitters' (another cocktail book we highly recommend). The spirits marked with a * are our favourites for cocktails.
Whisky/Whiskey
- Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- Rittenhouse Bonded Kentucky Rye Whiskey
- The Gospel Solera (Manhatttans) or Straight (Old Fashioneds) Rye * (Amanda's recommendation)
Brandy
Rum
If you're in Australia, our recommendations are:
Tequila
Gin
If you're in Australia, our recommendations are:
Apertivo/Amari/Bitters/Other
- Cointreau
- Campari
- Agnostura Bitters
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries *
Vermouth
Once open, vermouth (a fortified wine) should be stored in the refrigerator (or a cold dark place) and used within 90 days. We tend to have only one blanc/dry and one sweet vermouth open at at time.
- Dolin Dry* (budget option)
- Cocchi Americano Apertivo (Blanc)
- Carpano Bianco
- Cinzano Rosso (Sweet) (budget option)
- Cocchi Vermouth di Torino* (Amanda's preferred sweet vermouth)
Gift Sets for Cocktail Lovers
This gift set from Tanqueray includes a bottle of Tanqueray No.10 gin and a cocktail kit, including a mixing glass, jigger, strainer and coupe glass. The perfect gift for a Martini lover. Worldwide shipping is available.
A fabulous gift for a rum lover, or to gift a mixologist the chance to experiment with different flavour profiles in their cocktails - this set includes three 200ml miniature bottles of rum from Appleton Estate, Appleton Estate Signature Rum, Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve, and Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Cask.
Designed for Cocktail Lovers on the go, but also a fantastic way of trying new bitters! This set of 20ml bottles includes five different flavours from Bitter Truth's range, including Jerry Thomas' Own Decanter, Celery, Creole, Orange and Aromatic bitters. As most cocktails only require a few shakes of bitters, these little bottles will still go a long way.
Gifts for Aperol Spritz Lovers
DesignSomeMoore's beautiful posters are a unique gift that will look fabulous on the walls of any home. There's a vast selection of different cocktail recipe art prints available in multiple sizes to suit any budget and wall space. Made in the UK and worldwide shipping is available. Pictured are the Aperol Spritz Bar Art Posters available in a purple, beige or peachy orange background, and up to A1 poster size.
PrettyLittlePersonal's personalised coasters are a unique gift for an Aperol Spritz Cocktail Lover. The coaster will be printed with an Aperol Spritz illustration alongside the text "[Name's] Aperol Spritz Goes Here". Ships from the UK (worldwide shipping available). Also available for Espresso Martini and Margarita Lovers.
Spiegelau (owned by Riedel) are a german company manufacturing high-quality glassware (we own and love their wine glasses). This set of four Gin and Tonic glasses are perfect for an Aperol Spritz, with a 21oz/630ml capacity, there is plent of room for ice, and your favourite gin and tonic, or Aperol and prosecco. Dishwasher safe.
Gifts For Women Who Whiskey
For help on finding the perfect present, see our Gift Guide For A Woman Who Whiskies (written by one!).